CVE-2022-28265 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE • 05/11/2022
Acrobat Reader DC version 22.001.2011x (and earlier), 20.005.3033x (and earlier) and 17.012.3022x (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file, which could result in a read past the end of an allocated memory structure. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to bypass mitigations such as ASLR. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2022
This vulnerability exists in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC across multiple version ranges including 22.001.2011x and earlier, 20.005.3033x and earlier, and 17.012.3022x and earlier, representing a critical out-of-bounds read flaw that can be exploited through crafted malicious files. The technical implementation involves improper bounds checking during file parsing operations where the application reads memory beyond allocated buffer boundaries, creating a potential information disclosure and exploitation vector. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which occurs when a program accesses memory beyond the boundaries of a buffer, potentially leading to data exposure or system instability. The flaw specifically manifests during the parsing of maliciously crafted files, where the application fails to properly validate input data before accessing memory structures, resulting in unauthorized memory access patterns that can reveal sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory access issues as it can be leveraged to bypass critical security mitigations such as Address Space Layout Randomization, which is a fundamental defense mechanism against exploitation. When an attacker successfully triggers this out-of-bounds read condition, they can potentially extract memory addresses or other sensitive data that would normally be protected by ASLR, thereby undermining the effectiveness of this security control. This information disclosure capability significantly increases the attack surface and makes subsequent exploitation attempts more successful. The vulnerability requires user interaction for exploitation, meaning victims must open the malicious file, which typically occurs through social engineering tactics such as phishing emails or malicious attachments. This user interaction requirement limits the automatic exploitation potential but does not eliminate the risk, as successful social engineering campaigns can still lead to widespread compromise of systems.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage vulnerabilities in software applications to execute malicious code or extract information. The memory corruption resulting from the out-of-bounds read can be used as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. Organizations should consider implementing multiple layers of defense including user education about suspicious file attachments, email filtering systems, and regular software updates to remediate this vulnerability. The specific nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Adobe Acrobat Reader is commonly used for document processing, as it provides a potential entry point for attackers seeking to access sensitive corporate documents or establish persistent access to systems. Security teams should prioritize patching affected versions of Acrobat Reader and monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where users regularly handle external documents or communications.
This vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in software security where seemingly simple bounds checking issues can create significant security implications. The fact that multiple major version releases are affected indicates a persistent flaw in the parsing logic that has not been adequately addressed through previous updates. The relationship between this vulnerability and ASLR bypass capabilities highlights how memory corruption issues can undermine fundamental security protections, making the exploitation more successful and harder to detect. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict the execution of potentially malicious files and deploy endpoint protection solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires careful coordination between IT departments and end users to ensure all affected systems are updated while minimizing disruption to legitimate business operations involving document processing activities.